This means, however, that Singer will not direct X-Men 3 as was previously reported. He might also have to pass up the remake of 664738.html" target="parent">Logan's Run, which Variety claims Francis Lawrence (Constantine) might step in to direct instead.

The trade paper adds that "producers Neal Moritz and Gilbert Adler have apparently disappeared from the scene as well. The fate of Jon Peters also is up in the air. ... Moritz's deal was never made and it's uncertain whether Adler, who did have a deal, will remain involved." No word on casting yet.

"My interest in Superman dates back many, many years," Singer said in a statement. "In fact, it was the Richard Donner classic film that was my day-to-day inspiration in shaping the X-Men universe for the screen. I feel that Superman has been late in his return and it is time for him to fly again."

AICN claims that the film will be titled Superman Returns and that its plot "will not be an origin story. And something regarding the Christopher Reeve films and that universe has something to do with this."